School Council
Draft Huntingdale Precinct Plan - City of Monash
The City of Monash is seeking community feedback on a Draft Precinct Plan for Huntindale and surrounding areas. This is a transformative, long term vision outlining opportunities to revitalise Huntingdale.
The draft is available at the following location:
https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Council/Have-Your-Say/Draft-Huntingdale-Precinct-Plan
Consultation is due by 26 September 2019, with feedback to be sent to:
strategicplanning@monash.vic.gov.au
We encourage the School Community to provide their feedback, expressing their thoughts, concerns or ideas. Some possible examples are below.
Education & Future Direction Subcommittee
HPS School Council
Some example ideas for feedback:
Safe access and School presence
Redesign of the Huntingdale Precinct should take into account pedestrian access from the Huntingdale Neighbourhood Centre and Huntingdale Station to HPS. Access routes should be safe, direct and offer a good level of amenity, including pedestrian-crossings, signage, street art, landscaping and greenery where possible.
Traffic management
The lack of safe-drop off zones to the east of the school is a danger, that will likely become more of a concern with developments such as 2-4 Grange St apartments (TPA/44548) and the associated increased traffic movements. It is worth noting that a large number of traffic fines are issued in Grange St, as parents attempt to drop off children in a no-standing zone. The plan should consider ways to improve traffic flow, especially during peak school drop-off and pick-up times.
Housing development
A principle underpinning the plan is that the precinct should offer an ‘increase in housing density around transport links and in existing residential areas’. Any future housing developments located in Grange Road, Germain Street or Clarendon Street, or around the school entrances, should be consistent with the existing residential landscape and should not introduce an undue amount of traffic or further demand for car-parking in the area immediately around the school.
Green space and environmental sustainability
The area around Huntingdale Station and the North Road overpass is particularly unsightly and devoid of canopy and green space. Increased greenery and landscaping in this area, which is also a key entry route for students and visitors to HPS, would increase the walkability and amenity of the area.
I request that the plan considers environmental sustainability and drive behaviours which promote environmental sustainability, such as walkability or ride-ability, energy efficient design and even simple additions, such as placement of recycling bins.
Education and Language opportunities
Huntingdale Primary School’s “Language Lighthouse” vision positions itself as a key site for the wider community. This vision is aligned with “The Opportunity” (pg.18) of ‘Community spaces that encourage interaction and collaboration’. I encourage the City of Monash to explore how to further these opportunities, especially in alignment for Education, Culture and Language purposes.